Episode 17: Island Bison

As we mentioned last week in the Edible Valley, Jon and Blayne had the opportunity to visit Island Bison as part of the North Vancouver Island Chefs Associations meeting. We had a facinating tour and informative conversation with Mark Vance, owner of Island Bison. Mark, along with his wife Lisa and four children, and mother and father purchased Island Bison about a year and a half ago. With no farming background of this scale, just the dream and passion the farm is running successfully and they are having a great time with this new adventure. Bison are an amazing animal that was brought back from the brink of extinction. While the population is still a sliver of what it once was, it is being successfully farmed as alternative meat source to beef and farm raised venison. Thanks Mark for sharing your story. Check Island Bisons website at islandbison.com and you can find the product at the Saturday farmers market, Seeds grocery in Cumberland and Edible Island in Courtenay.

September 23rd- Flavour the North Vancouver Island Gourmet Picnic.  SOLD OUT. If you did not get a ticket for this years event, keep your eyes peeled for it again in 2013. I do believe the organizers are still looking for volunteers so this may be a way in. Contact them through the site. Visit the beautiful grounds of Coastal Black Winery and sample products from dozens of chefs and farmers from around the Comox Valley. Once again, Jon will be wearing many hats at this event. Blayne will be walking around and eating, what he does best! Island Soda Works will also be dishing out samples at this wonderful event.
October 5 and 6-The Foggy Mountain Fall Fair in Cumberland. Come for the pie of the year contest, apple sports, crafts, walking and biking tours and so much more. For more information check this link
The Comox Valley $100 dollar challenge. Join our initiative and help to keep dollars in the local economy.
Of course the Comox Valley Farmers Market twice weekly Saturday 9-12 at the Fair Grounds on Headquarters and Wednesday from 9-12 at the Comox Bay Farm.
If you are enjoying the podcast we would appreciate it if you would help us by hitting our donate button. Every little bit helps us to keep our hosting site paid up and maybe sponsor one of our pre-game meals.
Thanks for listening to our podcast. For suggestions or feedback please contact us ediblevalley@gmail.com, "like" our facebook page and follow our twitter feed @ediblevalley

Episode 15: Tannadice Farms and Primal Girl

This week we had a great opportunity for two guests. The episode runs longer a little longer than we usually shoot for, but it is full of good information.

Allen McWilliam from Tannadice Farm has been farming in the Comox Valley since 1974. He and his wife moved here and began their farm on 15 acres in Dove Creek and now they have become the biggest pork producer on Vancouver Island. The farm has grown to 105 acres, and also includes grass fed Black Angus beef and pastured poultry. Tannadice has the highest standards for the health of the pigs, keeping the herd healthy so they rarely need medications. Find Tannadice products at Butchers Block and Edible Island in Courtenay and Seeds in Cumberland. Thanks Allen, you are a doing things the right way and the Valley is lucky to have you.

Tara Grant is Primal Girl. This San Francisco CA based blogger has been writing about her un-successful results with western medicine and journey into the Primal lifestyle, along the way losing over 100 pounds and healing herself of many illnesses that conventional doctors couldn't. Her and Blayne connected on Twitter and by chance she happened to be in Comox for a few weeks. A coffee meeting yesterday resulted in her appearance on Edible Valley. She loves the area and is jealous of the amount of varied and vibrant agriculture and fabulous restaurants. Tara you are welcome back to the podcast anytime, and we look forward to taking you oyster picking when you come back in the winter. If you are interested in Primal/Paleo read Tara's blog for great information on the movement.
Upcoming events:
Chefs Day at the Farmers Market September 8th. Come cheer Jon on as he helps to create from the bounty of the market.
September 23rd- Flavour the North Vancouver Island Gourmet Picnic. Visit the beautiful grounds of Coastal Black Winery and sample products from dozens of chefs and farmers from around the Comox Valley. Once again, Jon will be wearing many hats at this event. Blayne will be walking around and eating, what he does best! Island Soda Works will also be dishing out samples at this wonderful event.
The Comox Valley $100 dollar challenge. Join our initiative and help to keep dollars in the local economy.
Of course the Comox Valley Farmers Market twice weekly Saturday 9-12 at the Fair Grounds on Headquarters and Wednesday from 9-12 at the Comox Bay Farm.
If you are enjoying the podcast we would appreciate it if you would help us by hitting our donate button. Every little bit helps us to keep our hosting site paid up and maybe sponsor one of our pre-game meals.
Thanks for listening to our podcast. For suggestions or feedback please contact us ediblevalley@gmail.com, "like" our facebook page and follow our twitter feed @ediblevalley

Episode 14: Flavour, The North Islands Gourmet Picnic

This week we chat with Beth Turner from North Island College, who is the co-founder of Flavour, The North Island's Gourmet Picnic. This event has been in the works since last summer and is coming to fruition, less than one month away. A little exert from Flavour's website:
"Our finest chefs, vintners, farmers and producers are invited to showcase their talents, support Vancouver Island culinary culture and educate our community.
Our Festival is aimed at families and foodies. The focus will be on personal experience and will highlight the tastes of the island. Participants will interact with chefs, local wineries, breweries and producers as they sample and learn about all our region has to offer."
With over 45 participating vendors, chefs teaming with farmers, breweries, restaurants, live music and a gorgeous setting, this family friendly event is sure to sell out. We have been looking forward to this event since Edible Valley was in its infancy. Thanks for taking time from your hectic schedule and letting us know all about the event Beth. We will see you out there.

A little sample of what is to come at Flavour.
Chefs Day at the Farmers Market September 8th. Come cheer Jon on as he helps to create from the bounty of the market.
September 23rd- Flavour the North Vancouver Island Gourmet Picnic. Visit the beautiful grounds of Coastal Black Winery and sample products from dozens of chefs and farmers from around the Comox Valley. Once again, Jon will be wearing many hats at this event. Blayne will be walking around and eating, what he does best! Island Soda Works will also be dishing out samples at this wonderful event.
The Comox Valley $100 dollar challenge. Join our initiative and help to keep dollars in the local economy.
Of course the Comox Valley Farmers Market twice weekly Saturday 9-12 at the Fair Grounds on Headquarters and Wednesday from 9-12 at the Comox Bay Farm.
If you are enjoying the podcast we would appreciate it if you would help us by hitting our donate button. Every little bit helps us to keep our hosting site paid up and maybe sponsor one of our pre-game meals.
Thanks for listening to our podcast. For suggestions or feedback please contact us ediblevalley@gmail.com, "like" our facebook page and follow our twitter feed @ediblevalley

Episode 11: Island Soda Works

This week we introduce Mandolyn McScandalot to Edible Valley. She is the proprieter and head Soda Jerk with Island Soda Works. She wows us with her knowledge of fermentation, lacto-bacteria and unique flavor blends. She brought four flavours into the studio for us to sample. This soda is a wonderful mix of a delicious beverage, healthy tonic and a vitamin rich alternative to sports drinks or other so called "vitamin" drinks. When mixed with alcohol her soda will ward off hangover and will give an energy boost when you want an alternative to caffeine. We at Edible Valley have been big fans of Island Soda Works for several months now and we encourage you to support her exclusive blends of soda and avoid the unmentionable ingredients in the mass produced soft drinks of North America. I know none of them have "love" as one of the ingredients.
Thanks Mandolyn for the soda and the fantastic conversation.
Upcoming Events

Episode 10:Ray Silvey from Fanny Bay Oysters

An old co-worker of Blayne joins us in studio for this episode to talk about oyster farming. Ray Silvey is the sales manager of Fanny Bay Oysters, and has been an employee since 1994. Ray is a very informed and educated guest with a mountain of knowledge in the industry. Come along and learn something about a delicious, sustainable product grown right in our own backyard.
We had a microphone problem that we didn't know about until the episode was finished, so Ray's voice is pretty faint. Listen close because there is a lot of interesting content that Ray shares with us.
Upcoming Events
Filberg Festival and Nautical Days August 3-6th.
Comox Valley Farm Cycle Tour August 11th and 12th. For a list of participating farms check this link
Mt. Washington Food and Wine Festival August 25th
Chefs Day at the Farmers Market September 8th. Come cheer Jon on as he helps to create from the bounty of the market.
The Comox Valley $100 dollar challenge. Join our initiative and help to keep dollars in the local economy.
Of course the Comox Valley Farmers Market twice weekly Saturday 9-12 at the Fair Grounds on Headquarters and Wednesday from 9-12 at the Comox Bay Farm.
And the Campbell River Salmon Festival August 10, 11, and 12th. Visit Ray at the Fanny Bay Oysters display
Thanks for listening to our podcast. For suggestions or feedback please contact us ediblevalley@gmail.com, "like" our facebook page and follow our twitter feed @ediblevalley

Episode 9: Tree Island Gourmet Yogurt

Blayne, Scott and Jon
This episode we welcome Scott DiGustini of Tree Island Gourmet Yogurt, the Comox Valley's own artisan cultured dairy. We had an educational conversation about yogurt and the exciting things that are to come from Tree Island Gourmet Yogurt.
Coming Events
August 3rd to 6th-Comox host Nautical Days to celebrate B.C. day, and the Filberg Festival at the Filberg Lodge.
August 11 and 12th-The Comox Valley Farm Cycle Tour. Sign up for a fun day or days of bicycling in the beautiful countryside of the Comox Valley and meet the farmers who grow your food. I already have my ticket, do you?
August 25th- Mount Washington Food and Wine Festival.
September 8th- Chefs Day at the Farmers Market. Come and cheer on the chefs as they create wonderful dishes from foods available at the market. Come and say "Hi" to Jon.
September 23rd- Flavour the North Vancouver Island Gourmet Picnic. Visit the beautiful grounds of Coastal Black Winery and sample products from dozens of chefs and farmers from around the Comox Valley. Once again, Jon will be wearing many hats at this event. Blayne will be walking around and eating, what he does best!
Of course the bi-weekly Comox Valley Farmers Market
We would also like to extend an invitation to join a growing movement, the Comox Valley $100 Challenge. A facebook based community within a community. Join and help us keep some of our grocery dollars with our local producers.
Thanks for listening to Edible Valley. Find us on facebook, follow our twitter feed @ediblevalley, and email us for suggestions, comments or any other feedback you wish to give. Keep it Local.